Job: Honoring God Through Suffering

If there is a God in heaven, why is there so much suffering in the world?

Theologians, philosophers, and Christian apologists have written entire books in an effort to answer such difficult questions. But what you believe about God and the matter of human suffering is not revealed by what you write or speak. Rather, it is shown by what happens when suffering moves from the abstract of being ‘out there’ to descending into your life. It is in the crucible of affliction that we show what we really believe about God and the problem of suffering.

This is why every affliction that enters our lives is an opportunity to demonstrate our belief and trust in God. Thus, how we handle suffering in its many forms is a matter of stewardship. When suffering grips us, we have been given an opportunity to honor Jesus.

Perhaps you’ve never seen suffering in that light. Maybe you have seen suffering as something to be avoided at all costs. My prayer is that by the end of our time this morning, you will see your response to suffering as a stewardship issue… that you will see affliction as an opportunity to bring honor to the God who loves us.

When affliction strikes, God is not doing something to you… he is doing something through you. And that something is bringing honor to his name.

In fact, this is the essential message of God’s very first words on the subject of suffering… that word is found in the Book of Job.(p 370)

Background: The book of Job is a drama, a very intense drama. Like all drama, we are meant to both hear and feel what is said. You cannot fully grasp the message of Job without entering into the experiences laid before us.

The early chapters are a narrative that sets the stage for a series of dialogs between Job and three friends – dialogs given to us in the form of Hebrew poetry. The poetry is deep, and at times dark and disorienting. Because that was what Job and his friends experienced as they grappled with his terrible suffering.

Time does not permit us to walk through the full drama this morning, but I want to draw out four important truths from this story that will help us in our own unique experiences of suffering.

To begin, we need to enter into the drama: 1:1-5

PAUSE --- family priest --- patriarchal period? --- first but not last word from God on the subject of suffering --- we must see in the light of the gospel

1:6-2:10

The drama of this book is centered on one man – Job. And quite the man he was. He was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil. He was also incredibly wealthy and, the greatest man in all the east.

Despite all this, calamity demolished his world. In staccato fashion, he lost all his children and much of his possessions. And this was just the beginning of his affliction. If he was not spared suffering, who is?

The Commonality of Affliction – Who experiences suffering?

Just like microbes during pandemics, suffering is no respecter of persons. It affects us all—directly and indirectly.

Greatness does not spare us from affliction. Wealth does not spare us either.

Godly living does not spare us from affliction. Job was a blameless man. That doesn’t mean he was sinless. But he had no unconfessed sin—he was harboring no evil in his heart. When sin arose in his life, he dealt with it as God had prescribed.

Nonetheless, terrible calamity struck this godly man. Through no fault of his own, he lost almost everything that was dear—including his health.

While the degree of suffering varies, all God’s children experience affliction. If you have been spared meaningful suffering to date, I must warn you that there’s a train around the corner. I cannot tell you when, where or how it will come, but come it will.

…In the world you have tribulation… John 16:33

For man is born for trouble,
As sparks fly upward.

Job 5:7

Christianity does not free you from trouble, but it will empower you to face trouble in a way that you can experience peace and honor God.

Suffering is common to us all—so expect it. Be prepared for it. The drama of Job reminds us that no one is spared affliction. It also shows us from whence suffering arises.

The Causes of Affliction – What is the source of suffering?

In the last 18 months, around 5 million people in our world have been struck dead by a little microbe we know as SARS-CoV-2. But is all the suffering across the globe from this pandemic the result of the unprogrammed wandering of some virus? Is it driven by sheer chance—or fate, as the ancients would say?

And what about the myriad of others ways people suffer? Is it just the luck if the draw… simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time?

What about your suffering?

• Why has disease descended on your life?
• Why did your spouse abandon you?
• Why was your child’s car crushed by a drunk driver?
• Why were you born into a family with an abusive parent?
• Why has a darkness that will not lift gripped your mind?

Job helps us answer these questions, by the clarity with which he sees the cause of his own suffering. Importantly, his experience helps us to see that suffering has multiple causes.

The Proximate Cause of Suffering

These are near events that we can see unfold. They are the visible causes.

a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the female donkeys feeding beside them, and the Sabeans attacked and took them. They also killed the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” While he was still speaking, another came and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” While he was still speaking, another came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three units and made a raid on the camels and took them, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, and behold, a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people and they died, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” Job 1:14-19

The Sabeans, the Chaldeans, the wind, and fire from heaven were the direct causes of his suffering. On the one hand, evil men caused his losses. They stole his stuff and murdered his servants. On the other hand, natural disaster caused his loss—fire from heaven, destructive wind and, later, disease.

Like Job, evil people may have brought suffering into your life. The sinful deeds of men bring much of the affliction in our world. And justice rightly demands they be held accountable for their actions—and be assured, eventually they will. To paraphrase a 17^th century poet, “The wheels of God’s justice may grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly small.”^[1] Justice will prevail.

Or perhaps your life has been crushed by disastrous calamity. As such, it seems to you that you were in the wrong place at the wrong time. You may be plagued with persistent questions of what you could have done differently to avoid the calamity. “If only I had…” and you can fill in the blank.

Stay with me, for you will see that Job did not give in to such notions, though he could have. Because he knew it wasn’t chance that brought his trouble.

Maybe your life’s journey has been derailed by disease. The physical affliction with which you live makes life a daily grind that, at time, seems insurmountable. And you ask, why you?

Bad genes? Lousy diet? Too much sun? Perhaps yes, but there is more to it than that.

All of these things are real causes of your trouble. They are plain as the eye can see. And as such, we tend to focus on them. But there is much more behind our suffering.

The Hidden Cause of Suffering

In addition to these proximate causes, we know there was one pulling the levers behind the scenes who caused these his losses—the great adversary, Satan. The Sabeans, the Chaldeans, the wind and fire from heaven, even disease, were simply tools in his evil scheme. He brought these on Job.

Then the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not reach out and put your hand on him.” So Satan departed from the presence of the Lord. Job 1:12

So the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your power, only spare his life.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and struck Job with severe boils from the sole of his foot to the top of his head. Job 2:6-7

Job’s afflictions were a demonic assault. They were wounds from the evil one with devious intent. Though it might appear to have been physical and emotional in nature, it was, at its heart, a spiritual assault.

And the same is true with every affliction with you experience. Whatever the nature of your suffering, if you look, you will find within it is a thread. If you trace the origin of that thread, it will take you back to Genesis 3 and the deception of Eve in the Garden of Eden—to Satan’s initial assault on mankind. For the fallout of Adam and Eve’s submission to the devil included the curse on creation. We live in a broken world. And the suffering that arises in this world is the fruit of Satan’s destructive deception. He is, in that sense, behind it all.

As you go through the gospels, you will find that Satan directly caused both physical and mental disease in people.

Because of the extraordinary greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!

2 Corinthians 12:7

Even if Satan has not directly plotted the trouble that has befallen you, he will seek to use it to get you to turn from God—for that is his key objective.

God brings trials to refine us, Satan seeks to use them to ruin us.

The Ultimate Cause of Suffering

Neither the proximate nor the hidden causes of Job’s suffering were decisive. No, that power resides in God and God alone.

Have You not made a fence around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? Job 1:10

Satan could not go where God did not permit. He could not touch what God made untouchable. His ability to strike Job required divine permission.

Then the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not reach out and put your hand on him.” So Satan departed from the presence of the Lord. Job 1:12

God is in control, not Satan. The devil is a restrained rebel.

This can mean only one thing—God is the ultimate cause of all things… even calamity.

The One forming light and creating darkness,
Causing well-being and creating disaster;
I am the Lord who does all these things.

Isaiah 45:7

Ultimately, it is God who brings disaster. He not only controls the events of the world in which we live, he also determines our physical afflictions:

But the Lord said to him, “Who has made the human mouth? Or who makes anyone unable to speak or deaf, or able to see or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?

Exodus 4:11

How could it be any other way? If God be God, then he is in complete control. If he is not in control, then he is not God.

Since God is the decisive cause in all that happens to me, then there must be a purpose behind it all. Sometimes, in the midst of or looking back, we can see the benefit affliction has brought to our won lives.

Do you remember the story of Joseph, son of Jacob? He was sold into slavery by his brothers because they envied the favor their father showed to him. He was then falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and languished for years in prison. In due time, he was elevated to Pharaoh’s right-hand man. When his brothers showed up years later looking for food during a famine,

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to keep many people alive.

Genesis 50:20

Joseph was eventually able to see what God was doing in all those experiences of suffering. His afflictions were the means by which God preserved the messianic line.

You may never know the purpose behind your suffering—for God is doing a thousand things behind the scenes of which we are unaware. But rest assured, there is a purpose.

The Contest in Affliction – What is at stake when we suffer?

The drama of Job reminds us that two things are at stake when we face affliction.

Our Integrity

Satan questioned whether Job really feared God.

But reach out with Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will certainly curse You to Your face.” Job 1:11

Satan answered the Lord and said, “Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has, he will give for his life. However, reach out with Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh; he will curse You to Your face!” Job 2:4-5

Job’s trials were a test of his integrity. Was his faith real? Job’s wife apparently understood this:

Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold firm your integrity? Curse God and die!” Job 2:9

Satan sought to ruin Job—specifically to get him to turn on and from God. He was sure Job’s professed fear of God was not true.

When affliction enters our lives, our faith is at stake. Do you think about your suffering that way? Do you realize the biggest test is spiritual?

I am not trying to downplay the very real physical challenges you may be facing. I am not minimizing the emotional pain you must deal with in the wake of a broken relationship. I am not ignorant of the darkness grief can bring into your life.

All of these bring difficult challenges. But the greatest is that it tests the integrity of our profession of faith. Will we hold Jesus as more precious than anything even when darkness descends on our lives?

The writer of Hebrews speaks of his confidence of the response of his readers in the face of their sufferings:

But we are not among those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith for the safekeeping of the soul. Hebrews 10:39

We need this same strong resolve when suffering comes. We must see it for what it is… a test of our allegiance to Jesus.

God’s Honor

Honor is both a noun and a verb. It is something inherent in God’s person and something others give to him. He holds a place of honor by virtue of his being God. That place of honor is held whether recognized by others or not.

In addition, his creatures give him honor—while at other times withholding it. Though he is not diminished by honor withheld, we are deluded if we think he doesn’t care whether we give it or not.

Make no mistake about it, in Job’s trial, God’s honor was at stake.

The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.” Then Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Job 1:8-9

Satan cast doubt on God’s claim of Job’s blamelessness. He sought to prove God was wrong. But Job did not succumb to his losses, he did not curse God.

Again, there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the Lord. The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man fearing God and turning away from evil. And he still holds firm to his integrity, although you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause.” Job 2:1-3

Satan’s scheme failed. Notice, there were heavenly witnesses to the proof of Job’s integrity. God was honored before them, His integrity was vindicated. Still, this lecherous leech would not admit God was right.

Satan answered the Lord and said, “Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has, he will give for his life. However, reach out with Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh; he will curse You to Your face!” So the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your power, only spare his life.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and struck Job with severe boils from the sole of his foot to the top of his head. Job 2:4-7

Thus, Satan launched his second salvo at Job—which also failed to get Job to curse God.

Like, Job, there are always witnesses to our suffering. Family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, acquaintances, and others. How they see us handling a time of suffering matters. When we hold fast to the faith in a time of trouble, we give cause for them to honor God—even if they refuse to do so until the glorious return of our Savior.

Do you see suffering in that light? Do you see it as a test of our faith and not our stamina? One of the ways we honor God is through our response to suffering.

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ 1 Peter 1:6-7

Do you see it in this verse? When the genuineness of our faith is proven through testing, it redounds to the honor of God in Jesus Christ.

So, how do we achieve this? What enables us to response to suffering in a way that honors God? Job shows us the way.

The Confidence in Affliction – How can we remain steadfast when suffering?

Job’s response to his suffering shows the unshakable core of his belief—that God is in control of all things.

Then Job got up, tore his robe, and shaved his head; then he fell to the ground and worshiped. He said,

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
And naked I shall return there.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Despite all this, Job did not sin, nor did he blame God.

Job 1:20-22

Job grieved his losses. He experienced the depth of sorrow you might expect from the loss of ten children in one fell swoop. But he did not curse God.

Blame – charge God with wrong

Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold firm your integrity? Curse God and die!” But he said to her, “You are speaking as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we actually accept good from God but not accept adversity?” Despite all this, Job did not sin with his lips. Job 2:9-10

It is abundantly clear is that Job understood that God’s will is decisive in all things. Everything that entered his life was from the hand of God. On that truth, he was steadfast. This was the bedrock that anchored him in the storms of life. And it will anchor us as well.

That does not mean Job did not struggle in his affliction. The drama does not end in 2:10. As Job’s physical affliction persists, he begins to wallow in his suffering. Things take a very dark turn.

Afterward Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. And Job said,

“May the day on which I was to be born perish,
As well as the night which said, ‘A boy is conceived.’

Job 3:1-3

“Why did I not die at birth,
Come out of the womb and pass away? Job 3:11

And his despair only gets deeper from there.

People of strong faith can wobble in the face of a persistent storm. We need to give them space and comfort when they do. And we need not be horrified when we are the one doing the wobbling.

Even if shaken by the strongest of storms, we will endure when we hold to this truth—God is in control. It is all in his hands. And more than that, I don’t really need to know.

Speaking of the patience shown by those who have gone before us, James says,

We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful. James 5:11

Job may have struggled as his trial persisted, but he did not turn his back on God. And his steadfast response has born witness through the ages… even to this very day!

My beloved friends, when suffering invades our lives, we are given an opportunity to prove to a watching world the genuineness of our faith. In doing so, we bring honor to the God who loves us and gave his Son for us. That’s an opportunity I don’t want to miss.

How about you? Will you honor Jesus when suffering comes?

[1] Henry Wadsworth Longfellow‘s translation of a 17th century poem, ‘Retribution,’ by Friedrich Von Logau